Political commentary from the LA Times

Napolitano visits San Diego, says border is more secure from cartels

Today in visit to the border with Mexico at San Ysidro, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano met with National Guard troops and spoke about border security from cartel violence.

"Over the past two years, our seizures of illegal drugs, currency and weapons have increased significantly -- helping to make the Southwest border more secure than ever before," she said.

In May, President Obama announced he would deploy an additional 1,200 National Guard troops along the Southwest border in an effort to stop cartel activity and smuggling.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, in fiscal years 2009 and 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection , or CBP, seized more than $104 million in illegal currency. CBP and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement also confiscated more than 7 million pounds of illegal drugs.